Real Madrid Dominate UEFA Team Of Year Shortlist

No surprise to see that the 50-man shortlist for UEFA’s team of the year is dominated by players from La Liga and European champions Real Madrid, who boast 11 nominees, including Cristiano Ronaldo, who is included for a record 14th time. Italian champions Juventus, who were beaten by Real in the Champions League final last season, have the next most with seven.

Tottenham stars Harry Kane and Dele Alli are joined by teammates Christian Eriksen and Davinson Sanchez on the shortlist, and are among 12 Premier League players nominated.

Manchester United also have nominees in David de Gea, Antonio Valencia, Paul Pogba and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, while Sergio Aguero, Benjamin Mendy and Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City are in the running.

Eden Hazard is Chelsea’s only representative, while there are no players from either Arsenal or Liverpool on the list, leaving N’Golo Kante, Philippe Coutinho and Alexis Sanchez as surprise omissions.

The final XI, selected by fans via UEFA’s website, will be announced on Jan. 11, 2018. No English or Premier League players made the final XI last season but Kane and Alli have been nominated after helping Spurs to a title challenge last season’s and first place in this season’s Champions League group, ahead of holders Real.